May 17, 2012--Closed for
business.* Americans Elect, which sought to open up the
presidential election process by offering voters a third credible
choice on the November ballot, announced
today that its primary process has concluded without a qualified
candidate. Americans Elect had sought to achieve ballot access in
all 50 states and choose its nominee through an online convention; its
nominee would have been required to choose a running mate of another
party.

Americans Elect did achieve ballot access in 29 states (+), but the
group
was not able to attract a big-name candidate. The most prominent
figures to seek the Americans Elect nomination were former Gov. Buddy
Roemer and former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Americans
Elect drew criticism from the outset for a lack of transparency in its
finances, and some who participated as delegates criticized it for an
approach that was top down and unresponsive rather than truly
democratic.

*Although Americans Elect's statement says that it has "achieved its
operational goals" and that it will continue its mission, it is
difficult to see how the organization has much of a future given the
disappointing outcome of its efforts. It remains to be seen
whether activists in some states might attempt to use
Americans Elect ballot lines.